Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has decided to dust off his international boots and make a spectacular return to the German national team for Euro 2024.
The 34-year-old, a key figure in Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory and boasting an impressive 106 caps, had initially bid farewell to international football in July 2021.
However, a twist of fate and persuasive talks with Germany’s head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, compelled Kroos to reconsider his retirement.
In an Instagram post, Kroos revealed, “I’ll be playing for Germany again from March. Why? Because I was asked by the coach, and I’m up for it. I’m sure that much more is possible with the team at the European Championship than most people think right now.”
Kroos, a decorated player with three Bundesliga and La Liga titles each and five Champions League winners’ medals during his club career, is now eligible for selection in Nagelsmann’s squad for upcoming international friendlies against football powerhouses France and the Netherlands.
Real Madrid teammate Antonio Rudiger had been vocal in urging Kroos to make a comeback, stating, “It’s at home, we want to have the best players there, and at this moment I see Toni as one of the best German players because he is also one of the best Real Madrid players at the moment.”
With Germany set to kick off Euro 2024 against Scotland at the Allianz Arena in Munich on June 14, Kroos’ return has sparked anticipation and raised questions about the impact he could bring to Die Mannschaft’s European Championship campaign. Is this comeback the missing piece for Germany’s quest for glory? Only time will tell.
